The Demon Slayer and the Ghost
Zhong Jiu, a celestial master who catches ghosts, carried three swords on his back. While traveling through a forest with his apprentices, he encountered Granny Tree Demon and Xiao Qian, among others. Mistaking Xiao Qian for a seductive demon trying to lure him, Zhong Jiu attempted to subdue her. Instead, he was counterattacked by Granny Tree Demon. Zhong Jiu and his apprentices, Qiu Shou and Wen Cai, had their souls absorbed by the granny—who then took control of Xiao Qian and forced her to lure men in order to drain their yang energy. When Xiao Qian was on one of her luring missions, she reunited with Yan Chixia, with whom she had once been in love, at the center of a lake. Xiao Qian told Yan Chixia her tragic past: her entire family had been killed by bandits while her father was traveling to take up an official post, and her soul had since been enslaved by Granny Tree Demon, forcing her to harm others. Yan Chixia was determined to rescue her from this suffering, but the task was fraught with difficulties. Ning Caichen, a scholar, intended to travel to the capital to take the imperial examination. Short on money, he went to Guobei County to collect a debt. On the way, he was seized by imperial soldiers Ling Qianye and Chen Fei to be conscripted as a laborer. Yan Chixia acted righteously to save Ning Caichen, who was deeply grateful. The three traveled together and sought shelter at Lanruo Temple, where Ning Caichen met Xiao Qian. Touched by Ning Caichen’s kindness and integrity, Xiao Qian poured out her heart to him—sharing her misfortunes and inner agony. In turn, Ning Caichen felt deep compassion and love for Xiao Qian.Angered that Xiao Qian had failed to capture any men, Granny Tree Demon went to Lanruo Temple to confront her. Ning Caichen tried to protect Xiao Qian, but accidentally caused her soul to be scattered by a spell cast by the granny while she was shielding him.
